Thrash Metal. At first mocked by the Rock traditionalists Thrash would swamp the hard n' heavy world propelling one of it's own - Metallica, to the very pinnacle of Rock's elite. In the early 80s Thrash breathed new life into the Rock scene providing older acts with a much needed kick. This new force opened the floodgates to armies of teens armed with flying Vs, bullet belts and a sense of purpose that would fuel genres such as Thrashcore, Crossover and technical Speed Metal. Without Thrash there would be no Death Metal, no Black Metal. That explosion of aggression has seen subsequent afterblasts, most recently Europe and South America has seen a genuine renaissance of Thrash Metal. Without doubt, Thrash Metal still continues to make its mark in the biggest possible way. The 'big four' - Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer are all documented here in the greatest possible detail with full, up to the minute histories, exclusive photographs and global discographies, which include demos, albums, singles, chart positions, track listings and catalogue numbers. Over 400,000 words leave no stone left unturned in pursuit of knowledge of ex-members, rare recordings and career milestones. The author has interviewed all these major acts. Indeed, he interviewed Metallica's late Cliff Burton just days before his passing. The early days of Megadeth are straight from the mouth of Dave Mustaine. Also covered are the legion of groundbreaking Bay Area acts such as Metal Church, Testament, Exodus, Death Angel and Hirax. The European Thrash explosion of Kreator, Rage, Destruction, Sodom, Grave Digger and Helloween is also covered in frightening detail. The Pagan Thrash of Sabbat, the avant garde eccentricity of Celtic Frost and the Funk Thrash of Morded - it's all here. The second wave of Thrash with major artists such as Sepultura, Pantera and Machine Head takes the genre right up to the new breed of Thrashers, now a truly world-wide phenomomen. All examined in depth. Having achieved its quarter of a century, Thrash Metal is not only alive, it is thriving. If you thought this rawest form of Heavy Metal was consigned to the past this book will deliver a rude awakening! Read the book, buy the records and bang that head!!

In the 1980s, the San Francisco Bay Area was heaven for hardcore headbangers. Shunning Hollywood hairspray and image in favor of a more dangerous street appeal, the Bay Area thrash metal scene was home toExodus,Metallica,Testament,Possessed,Death Angel,Heathen,Vio-Lence,Attitude Adjustment, Forbidden, andBlind Illusion -- and served as a second home to like-minded similar bands likeSlayer,Mercyful Fate,Anthrax,Megadeth, and more. Beginning as teenagers taking snapshots of visiting heavy metal bands during the 1970s, Brian "Umlaut" Lew and Harald "O." Oimoen documented the birth and growth of the local metal scene. Featuring hundreds of unseen live and candid color and black-and-white photographs,Murder in the Front Row captures the wild-eyed zeal and drive that madeMetallica,Slayer, andMegadeth into legends, with over 100 million combined records sold.

(Bass Instruction). As the original bassist for the seminal death metal band Cannibal Corpse, author Alex Webster offers invaluable insight into the realm of metal bass guitar. This exclusive book/audio pack provides detailed, hands-on training, featuring vital bass guitar techniques and concepts. Extreme Metal Bass further demonstrates how these techniques can be applied in real-life situations within the context of a song. No matter what brand of metal you subscribe to from classic metal to modern metal and beyond Extreme Metal Bass will supply the bass skills you crave. Extreme Metal Bass also includes access to enhanced audio with demonstration and play-along tracks of all the examples in the book, plus play-along MIDI drum files for optimum practicing. This book is designed for players who use a standard-tuned five-string bass (low to high: B-E-A-D-G). If you do not have a five-string bass, a four string (tuned B-E-A-D) will work for much of the material presented.

Revered former Metal Maniacs editor Jeff Wagner analyses the heady side of metal in this exhaustive narrative history of a relentlessly ambitious musical subculture. Beginning with the hugely influential mid-1970s efforts of progressive rock acts Rush and King Crimson, Wagner unfurls a vast colourful tapestry of sounds and styles, from the 'Big 3' of Queensryche, Fates Warning and Dream Theater to the extreme prog pioneers Voivod, Watchtower, Celtic Frost and others.

'Absolutely hilarious' - Neil Gaiman 'One of the funniest musical commentators that you will ever read . . . loud and thoroughly engrossing' - Alan Moore 'A man on a righteous mission to persuade people to "lay down your souls to the gods rock and roll".' - The Sunday Times 'As funny and preposterous as this mighty music deserve' - John Higgs The history of heavy metal brings brings us extraordinary stories of larger-than-life characters living to excess, from the household names of Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Bruce Dickinson and Metallica (SIT DOWN, LARS!), to the brutal notoriety of the underground Norwegian black metal scene and the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. It is the story of a worldwide network of rabid fans escaping everyday mundanity through music, of cut-throat corporate arseholes ripping off those fans and the bands they worship to line their pockets. The expansive pantheon of heavy metal musicians includes junkies, Satanists and murderers, born-again Christians and teetotallers, stadium-touring billionaires and toilet-circuit journeymen. Award-winning comedian and life-long heavy metal obsessive Andrew O'Neill has performed his History of Heavy Metal comedy show to a huge range of audiences, from the teenage metalheads of Download festival to the broadsheet-reading theatre-goers of the Edinburgh Fringe. Now, in his first book, he takes us on his own very personal and hilarious journey through the history of the music, the subculture, and the characters who shaped this most misunderstood genre of music.

Provides an alphabetical listing of artists of the "New Wave of American Heavy Metal" (NWoAHM), including name, official World Wide Web site address, and band member line-up, followed by a biography and discography. Additional information available via the Rock & Metal database at www.rockdetector.com.

For decades, UK thrash metal has been the most underrated and overlooked member of the metal family. Criminally ignored, and considered secondary to its American, German and Brazilian equivalents, the genre has nevertheless continued to survive and thrive, rising from the ashes on more than one occasion. The UK's thrash scene has generated a wealth of amazing music, often in the face of adversity and apathy, and Contract In Blood tells the whole story--warts 'n' all. From humble DIY beginnings in backstreet pubs to misrepresentation in the music press and being misunderstood by major labels on the world stage and beyond. Featuring Venom / Onslaught / Sabbat / Evile / Xentrix / Slammer / Gama Bomb / Acid Reign / Re-Animator / Lawnmower Deth / English Dogs / Mutant / Virus / D.A.M. / Sacrilege / Deathwish / Toranaga / Warfare / Pitiful Reign / Hydra Vein / Shrapnel / Hellbastard / Sylosis / Metal Messiah / SSS / Purgatory / Send More Paramedics / Warhammer / Tortoise Corpse / Anihilated / Suicide Watch / Cerebral Fix / Seventh Angel / Holosade / Metal Duck / Atomkraft / Decimator / Pendemia / Reign of Fury / Amnesia / Obliteration / Drunken State / Adrenicide and more than 50 other unsung UK metal anti-heroes.

In the early 80s Thrash breathed new life into the rock scene, opening the floodgates to armies of teens armed with flying Vs, bullet belts and a sense of purpose that would fuel genres such as Thrashcore, Crossover and technical Speed Metal. This book looks at the big four of Thrash Metal - Metallica, Megadeath, Anthrax and Slayer - all documented in the greatest possible detail with full, up to the minute histories, exclusive photos and global discographies, as well as tons of groundbreaking acts from the Bay Area, Pagan Thrash, European Thrash and the second wave.

Features the history of different forms of heavy metal rock music and profiles of the artists and groups that represent each one, including Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Metallica, Celtic Frost, Mayhem, Helloween, Marilyn Manson, and Korn.